Texas Heir

The bar of acceptance was set high—only the very elite and wealthy were considered suitable partners for the Preston children. It was one of the reasons Reed had avoided marriage. He wouldn’t subject a woman to that. But he’d gotten lucky with Daphne.

“Now, Reed, I didn’t say that. You’re very touchy today.”

“Maybe I am,” he conceded.

“Ms. Michaels holds a very important job in this company—a job she does very well. Her work ethic is exemplary and that’s why I didn’t object when you said you were promoting her to vice president when Frank retired. Besides, she’s your sister’s friend and she attends a lot of family functions.”

“But she’s not up to Richard Preston’s standards for a wife for his son. Just like Colter wasn’t an acceptable husband for Marisa.” Reed tried to keep the anger out of his voice and failed.

“Son, you’re getting angry for no reason.”

“Yeah.” Reed massaged the knot at the back of his neck. “But don’t sugarcoat your feelings for my sake. You don’t like Cari. It’s very big of you to accept her for Marisa’s benefit.”

Richard stiffened. “I worked very hard to get where I am today. Is it a crime to want the best for my children?”

Reed’s eyes didn’t waver from Richard’s and he could feel that old tension building inside him. “Yes, it’s a crime when you use underhanded tactics and manipulation to achieve what you think is best for your children. Why don’t you let them make their own decisions?”

“I do,” Richard told him. “You and Marisa both know I’m the type of man who likes to be in control. But I’ve learned my lesson with Marisa. I’m not manipulating your lives anymore.”

Reed jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “We both appreciate that.”

“But it doesn’t stop me from being happy when you make good choices.” His father’s eyes gleamed and Reed realized not for the first time that Richard was a formidable opponent and an aggressive parent.

Before Reed could respond, Richard glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to run.” He walked to the door in his quick easy strides. “Do you and Daphne have plans for the weekend?”

“We’re visiting her parents at their lake house in Austin.”

“Don’t forget to call your mother about the party.”

“I won’t,” Reed responded to an empty doorway.

He walked over and closed the door, resisting the urge to slam it. Something about making his father so happy left a bad taste in his mouth.

But he’d get over it.

CARI MADE THE LIMO on time. She handed the driver her bag and slid onto the plush leather seat across from Reed.

“Glad you found shoes,” he remarked, staring at her heels with a lift of his brow.

“It helps working for a department store and having everything at my disposal.” She crossed her legs and scooted farther over. Reed’s legs were so long that she didn’t want to bump his knees. His dark gaze made the space between them seem that much smaller.

“Mmm.” He rubbed his chin and against her will she watched his strong lean fingers stroke his rough male skin. A hint of his cologne, sort of a musk mingled with leather, wafted to her, and a wave of pleasure rippled in her stomach.

“Any ill effects from the fall?”

For a moment she didn’t even catch the question, but she recovered quickly. She placed her Chanel bag, a gift from Dalton’s, beside her on the seat for something to do. “No. By midmorning my aches and pains were gone. But my pride is still bruised, and you can bet someone is going to answer for that defective heel.”

“And if you have your way, that brand of shoe won’t be carried in Dalton’s anymore?”

“You got it. I have George looking into it and I’ll have all the details on your desk Monday morning.”

Reed kept staring at her, and she wondered if her lipstick was smeared. She resisted the urge to grab her compact.

“What?”

He leaned forward. “Do you know your eyes glow when you’re passionate about something?”

“Is there smoke coming out of my ears, too?” She had to be flippant or she was going to lose what little control she had.

Reed laughed—a deep throaty sound that felt as exhilarating as sliding her dad’s old truck’s stick shift into third gear. As a teenager she knew she was off for the ride of her life. As an adult, Reed’s laugh gave her a glimpse of a ride she was never going to experience.

She stared out the window as the car whipped through traffic. Soon the driver turned into the entrance for Love Field where the Dalton jets were housed. Everything was arranged so there was no waiting. Within minutes they boarded the plane. Fletcher and Melody, the pilots, welcomed them aboard.

Cari had made many company trips. Two pilots were required to fly the plane, even the smaller Learjet. Melody was the only female copilot who worked for Dalton’s, and Cari admired her venture into mostly a man’s profession. The interior of the plane was lavish, with ebony wood and Italian leather, made to cater to the very rich. It had been decorated and customized per Richard Preston’s request. Cari always felt a little out of place when she stepped onto the lush wool carpet of the living–room style cabin.

She eased onto a small sofa, placed her purse and briefcase beside her and buckled up for takeoff. Reed spoke to Fletcher and took a tan captain’s chair across from her. The plane could easily seat six people.

“We’re ready to go,” Reed said, adjusting his seat belt.

Soon they were taxiing down the runway and the jet lifted from the tarmac with a smoothness that still left butterflies in her stomach. Her fear of heights always made her stomach knot with tension, but she generally managed to control it. Up, up they went into the fluffy white clouds, leaving Dallas behind.

Once the plane was in the air, Melody left her seat. “Everything is going smoothly. May I get you something to drink?” Another thing Cari liked about Melody, she was always willing to please. Her job was being a pilot but she didn’t consider it beneath her to act as a flight attendant. Cari had a feeling the woman was going to go far in life.

Tearing her eyes away from the window and that vast nothingness of space, Cari unbuckled her seat belt. “Water, please.”

“Me, too,” Reed replied, resting one booted foot over his knee.

Melody served the drinks on a silver tray with Waterford crystal. Cari often thought this was the height of ostentation, but it was the norm for the Prestons.

As Reed took his glass, he said, “Melody, you really don’t have to do this.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Melody smiled so brightly it was blinding.

He’s engaged, Cari wanted to say. Women were always flirting with him. That was the norm, too.

“Thank you,” Reed said, and Melody floated back to the cockpit.

They rode in silence for a moment.

She could feel Reed’s eyes on her and she refused to squirm. Finally he asked, “What do you think of Daphne?”

She swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “She’s very beautiful.”

He idly rubbed his leather boot, his eyes watching her. “I sense a ‘but’…”

Her eyes caught his. “I hadn’t realized you were dating anyone seriously.” The words were like puffs of air she couldn’t capture or take back.

His eyes darkened. “I’m not aware I have to clear my dating schedule with you.”

His spurt of anger didn’t deter her. “I work closely with you every day and I’m wondering why you felt a need to keep Daphne a secret.”

“My personal life is my business.”

“So what do you care what I think of Daphne?”

“Sir.” Fletcher’s voice came through on the intercom. “We’re going through a thunderstorm, so there’ll be some turbulence. Nothing serious.”

Water splattered against the window and Cari turned her attention to it. The small plane trembled and faltered from the impact of the rain and the wind. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the cabin. It was too close.

She turned her thoughts to Reed. No way would she tell him how she felt about him. He loved Daphne and blurting out her feelings would only complicate things between them.

“Cari…”

She heard his throaty voice and she couldn’t look at him. She wasn’t that strong.

Instead, she placed her water on a side table and then opened her briefcase. She focused her attention on the itinerary and the conversation turned to business, something they both were more comfortable with.

“I see you’ve planned to take the manager and his staff out to dinner,” she said.

“Yes, the store is doing very well. I wanted to do something special, but I’m afraid I’ll have to cut it short. I plan to return to Dallas tonight.”

She knew why.

She didn’t need the overnight bag, but she still liked to carry one to freshen up. “They’ll appreciate the thought,” she replied.

A tense pause followed her words.

“Cari…”

Why couldn’t he let it go? She didn’t want to talk about his engagement or Daphne.

“Sir,” Fletcher’s voice came through, more urgent this time, “we’re losing power, so it might be best if everyone buckled up.”

“What the hell?” Reed sprang from his seat and made his way to the cockpit. Cari could hear them clearly. “What’s the problem?” Reed asked.

“I’m trying to get the plane above the thunderstorm, but we’re losing power,” Fletcher replied.

“Both engines?”

“Just one, sir.”

“Were we hit by lightning?”

“That’s my guess. I’m trying to restart the engine.”

Cari looked out the window and she could tell they were going down. Fear leaped into her throat and she quickly fastened her seat belt.

Melody was trying to help Fletcher, but the plane was not responding.

“Damn it, man,” Reed yelled. “Do something.”

“Mayday, Mayday. We have a problem.” Fletcher spouted off altitude and longitude and other flight facts, but it didn’t keep the plane from careening off course and downward.

The sound of thunder cracked loudly and the remaining engine died away. “We’ve lost contact and power,” Fletcher shouted. “I’m beginning a descent for ditching. Without power the plane cannot stay in the air. We have to land in a remote location. Take your seat, sir. Now!”

The plane wobbled severely and continued to glide slowly toward the ground. Cari began to pray and a scream clogged her throat.

Reed jumped into his seat, his face pale. He stared into her eyes and she saw more in that instant than she had in all the years she’d known him. She saw the fear and she also saw something else. As the plane jerked and spun they knew it was too late.

For them.

They were going to die.

Chapter Three

Cari awoke to pain and a throbbing in her head. Not another Tylenol morning. She opened her eyes and the pain was overtaken by fear.

Where was she?

Something held her in place. A seat belt. Was she in her car? No. She was jammed against something hard and a heavy object was on top of her. Opening her eyes more she saw wires hanging from the ceiling, compartments flung open, items strewn everywhere. She was covered in debris.

The plane had crashed!

Everything came flooding back.

Melody lay in the doorway to the cockpit and she could see Fletcher slumped over in his seat. The nose of the plane had been pushed forward and the instrument panel pressed against the pilot. She didn’t know if he was dead or alive.

An eerie quiet filled the cabin.

Reed!

Raising her head, she winced and noticed blood on her hand. A shard of glass stuck out of the soft flesh near her thumb. She bit her lip, pulled it out and held her hand against her chest to stop the bleeding. Otherwise she was okay. Or at least she thought she was, just cuts, bruises and aches.

Reed’s chair was twisted and his head rested against the side of the cabin, which seemed to be tilted and crushed in slightly. He was bleeding, his shirt soaked with bright red.

Ohmygod!

He needed help. She pushed debris off her and managed to unsnap her seat belt. As she struggled to her feet a wave of dizziness assailed her. The plane wasn’t level, so it made the dizziness worse. The cabin was pushed together and there was very little room. She gripped the wobbly captain’s chair and reached for the pulse in Reed’s neck. She didn’t find one. Ohmygod! No!

Take a deep breath. Stay focused.

Trying to keep her nerves from spiraling out of control, she stepped over more debris and made her way to Melody by holding on to parts of the shattered plane. The cabin was so mangled Cari couldn’t stand upright. She knelt by Melody, checking her pulse. None. Blood oozed from her head. Cari wouldn’t let herself think as she frantically tried to reach Fletcher. Parts of the plane dangled from above, blocking her reach. Then she smelled it.

Fuel.

Smoke.

Ohmygod!

Stay focused! They need you.

The door of the plane had been ripped away. She peered outside. A chilly foreboding swept over her and she trembled. The crushed plane was balancing precariously on a ledge or a mountain. She knew they had to get out and get out fast.

Her high heels crunched on Waterford crystal. She had a sudden urge to laugh hysterically—but she had to get them out. She couldn’t fall apart.

It was hard to stay balanced in her heels, but there was glass everywhere, so she couldn’t remove them. She unsnapped Reed’s seat belt and shook him. “Reed, wake up. Please, wake up.” He didn’t move or make a sound. Blood dripped from his head onto her hands. She grabbed a towel from the floor and wrapped it tightly around his head and then she pulled and dragged him as close to the door as she could. He weighed a ton but she never paused in her struggle. Once there, she placed his arms halfway out the door.

She glanced down, kicked off her heels and jumped. Since the door was tilted down, she misjudged the distance and almost fell flat on her face. Pain shot through her body, but she quickly scrambled to her feet. Looking up, she caught her breath. The opening seemed so far away. The plane was a mangled mess. How was she still living? Oh God! She had to take several deep breaths.

Focus! Focus!

She had to get Reed and the others out before the plane ignited. She stood on her tiptoes until she could grab Reed’s hands, and then she tugged and tugged with all her strength. Slowly, she inched him forward. Catching her breath, she reached for his armpits and dragged him out. Once his weight shifted, his body slid forward quickly and took them both to the ground. She struggled to her feet and grabbed hold of him once again. Her muscles strained and her arms burned, but she jerked and pulled until she had him safely away from the shattered plane.

Now she had to get Melody and Fletcher. Taking a deep breath, she sprinted back toward the plane. A loud explosion flung her backward. Flames roared through the crumpled fuselage.

No! No!

The excessive heat yanked her from the abyss of terror. She rose and pulled Reed farther away from the flames. Then she collapsed into a ball of fear, her body trembling uncontrollably.

She drew her knees to her chin. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she tried to stop the tremors. In a chilled stupor, she watched the smoldering plane until nothing was left but a melted heap of twisted metal.

Hot, smoldering metal.

The rain had stopped, so there was nothing to cool the offensive heat. She didn’t know how long she sat there lost somewhere between Dallas and this horrendous nightmare. When reality returned, tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was holding Reed’s hand.

Praying.

Praying for a pulse. Praying he was alive. But he just seemed cold. The towel was soaked with blood, but it looked as if the bleeding might have stopped. That was good. More tears followed. She cried for Fletcher and Melody and she cried for life’s cruel injustice. After a moment she pulled herself together.

Looking around, it seemed as if they were on a crater of the moon—dirt and rocks and nothing else except an endless sky. Not the moon, but probably a mountain somewhere in west Texas.

They had to just wait and someone would find them.

Someone would rescue them.

She prayed it was in time to save Reed.

RICHARD PRESTON HUNG UP the phone as his wife, Vanessa, entered his study.

“Are you ready?” she asked. Even in her late fifties she was still an attractive woman with blond hair and a svelte figure flattered by a Vera Wang suit. She had the body of a dancer and she never grew tired of reminding him of what she’d given up for marriage and motherhood. He wasn’t going to think about that, though. They were getting along and their children were happy. Life was good.

“I don’t feel like going to the Maxwells’ for dinner,” he said, testing the waters. The Maxwells were her ballet friends and they bored him to death with endless chatter about the next greatest dancer to grace Lincoln Center.

When she frowned, he quickly added, “I just got off the phone with Clyde Harwood. He and Muriel are planning an engagement party for Reed and Daphne. They would like a list of guests by the end of the week.”

“So.” She lifted a finely arched eyebrow. “An evening with friends isn’t going to delay the list. Admit it, you just don’t want to go.”

“Maybe. I’m all keyed up about Reed’s engagement and I would prefer to stay home. Our son has made an excellent choice. Daphne is a charming, sophisticated young lady who will do the Preston name proud.”

“Yes, Daphne will make Reed an exceptional wife.”

Richard stood. “I was worried he’d fall for Cari Michaels.”

“Cari’s a nice girl and a very good friend to Marisa.”

“But she’s not suitable as a wife for our son.”

Vanessa sighed. “Oh, Richard, haven’t you learned your lesson? We almost lost Marisa and I will not tolerate you doing anything to jeopardize Reed’s happiness.”

“That’s what is so wonderful. Reed made the perfect choice all on his own.”

“I don’t know. Marisa seems to have reservations and I trust her instincts. I just hope Reed is as deeply in love as our daughter.”

“He is. You can see it.”

Vanessa nodded. “They make a lovely couple. Marisa is very fond of Cari and I think she’s more disappointed Reed and Cari didn’t get together than anything else.”

Richard smiled at his wife. “That’s it. Reed made a choice without pressure from Marisa or me. That’s why I’m so excited and would rather stay home to go over the guest list. It will be the party of the year.”

She lifted an eyebrow again. “Maybe. Get your jacket. You’re going tonight. We have something to celebrate.”

“Vanessa…”

A tap at the door stopped him. Winston, the butler, stepped in. “Sir, there’s a gentleman here to see you, a Mr. Darin Avery, a representative from the regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board.”

Richard frowned. “What does he want? Is there a problem with the plane?”

“I don’t know, sir. Would you like for me to send him in?”

“Yes.”

A balding man with a worried expression walked in. “Mr. and Mrs. Richard Preston?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “What’s this about?”

“I regret to inform you the Dalton jet went down at 1439 hours somewhere in west Texas.”

Richard felt a blow to his chest. “What?”

“No!” Vanessa screamed and Winston rushed in.

“As soon as the weather clears, we’ll have planes in the air searching for the wreckage. I just wanted to let you know before the story broke on the news. You have my deepest regrets.”

“My son…my son, is he alive?” Vanessa asked, holding on to Winston.

“We don’t know, ma’am, but—”

“Don’t say it,” Richard shouted. “My son is alive. He has to be.”

“I’ll be in touch, sir.” He laid a card on the desk. “If you need anything, you can reach me on my cell.” He walked out.

“Richard…”

“Vanessa, just stay calm.”

“Calm!” she screeched. “Our son has just gone down in a plane. I can be as emotional as I want! I have to call Marisa. I need Marisa.”

She reached for the phone as Winston handed her a glass of brandy.

Richard sank into his chair, refusing to believe his son was anything but alive. He had to be. His whole future was waiting for him.

A future Richard had precisely planned.

CARI REMOVED THE TOWEL from Reed’s head. A cut zigzagged across his left temple and a dark bruise spread from his ear to his hairline, but the bleeding had stopped. Since she didn’t have anything else, she wrapped the blood-caked towel around his head again.

Soon someone would come.

Reed’s sun-browned skin was so pale, and she checked his pulse. A faint beat trembled against her fingers.

“Reed!” she shouted in joy. “Can you hear me? Reed!”

A low moan escaped his throat and she cupped his face. “Reed.”

The moan grew stronger and his eyelids fluttered. Excitement ran through her. He was alive! She continued to call his name until his eyes slowly opened.

“Ca-ri.”

“Yes, yes!” Without thinking, she kissed his cheek. She was just so glad he was alive.

“Wh-ere are we?”

“The plane crashed and I’m guessing we’re somewhere in west Texas.”

“Wh-ere’s Fletcher and Melody?”

When she didn’t answer, he sat up and groaned, grabbing his head.

“Take it easy.”

He caught sight of the pile of twisted, burned metal. “Is…is…that…?”

She swallowed. “Yes. That’s all that’s left of the plane.”

“Oh my God! How did we get out?”

“I pulled you out.”

“Fletcher and Melody?” His voice was hopeful despite the anguish imprinted on his face.

“I was going back to get them when the plane exploded, but they…were…already dead.” She had to believe that.

He buried his face in his blood-covered hands. She wrapped her arms around him. “A rescue team should be here soon.”

He raised his head. “But not in time for Fletcher and Melody.”

“No.” She felt his tears as they dripped onto her cheek and she tightened her arms, her face buried in his chest. His arms went around her like a vise and they grieved for the two people they’d lost. They sat that way minutes or maybe hours. She wasn’t sure, but the light was fading. Raindrops peppered their heads. They had to find shelter.

She untangled from him and stood, surveying the desolate, bare scenery. They were in the middle of nowhere and as she looked out, she saw more of the same. More mountains, more desolate landscape.

“What are you doing?”

“We have to find shelter for the time being.” She glanced toward the darkening sky. “It looks like another thunderstorm is on the way. Stay here. I’m going to scout around.”

“Cari…”

“I’ll be okay, Reed. Just rest. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

“I can’t seem to do much else at the moment,” he replied in a low voice.

She walked away on the uneven terrain in her stocking feet. Several deep indentations had been hollowed out in the mountain from the elements. They could possibly use one as a cave until a search party arrived.

Lastly, she moved toward the charred wreckage. Pieces still smoldered. She didn’t know what she was hoping to find. Something. Anything. She peered over the side of the mountain. A wing from the plane, a wheel, objects she couldn’t identify and several personal items had been thrown free.

A backpack caught her eye. If there was clothing inside she could use it to bandage Reed’s wound. The backpack was on a steep incline going down to nowhere. Could she reach it?

Ever since she fell out of a tree as a kid, she’d had a fear of heights. Flying had been a challenge, but her job was important to her so she had conquered it. Now she had to find the courage to crawl down and retrieve the pack.

Reed was still sitting with his head buried on his knees, so weak and needing medical attention. Without a second thought, she turned around and inched down the side of the mountain. Her stocking feet were a problem. Damn, she should have removed them, but she wasn’t climbing back up to do that. Luckily she was able to find footholds on clumps of dirt and rocks, which scratched the bottom of her feet. But she kept going.